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Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1630 GMT, Dec. 19

Xinhua,December 20, 2017 Adjust font size:

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday that he wanted to raise the Sino-Japanese relationship to a "new stage," local media reported.

According to Japan's Kyodo News, Abe said during a speech in Tokyo that as 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, he wanted to take this opportunity to deepen high-level exchanges with China and elevate bilateral relations to a "new stage." (China-Japan-Ties)

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MANILA -- The Philippines has decided to withdraw its application for a second round of grants from a U.S. aid-giving body, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), after MCC suspended aid packages to the Philippines over human rights concerns last December.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told a press conference on Tuesday that the Duterte administration needs to focus on rehabilitation efforts in southern Marawi City. (Philippines-U.S.-Aid)

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KABUL -- Unknown gunmen abducted and killed an imam or prayer leader of a mosque in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Monday, a local TV channel reported Tuesday.

"Hijratullah, imam of a mosque in Rodat district, was killed after being kidnapped by unidentified armed men ridding motorbike after evening prayer on Monday," 1TV reported. (Afghanistan-Abduction)

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BANGKOK -- Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved an agreement to start the construction of the first phase of Thailand-China railway on Dec. 21, said Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith during a press conference here on Tuesday.

The cabinet also approved the Department of Highways of the Thai Transport Ministry to build the first 3.5-kilometer section, the minister said. (Thailand-China-Railway)

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TOKYO -- Japanese component maker Mitsubishi Materials Corp. said Tuesday that it has uncovered more cases of data falsification and inspection improprieties, adding to the woes of the firm whose subsidiaries were recently found to have rigged data.

Mitsubishi Materials President Akira Takeuchi conceded that the latest scandal had caused widespread trouble. (Japan-Mitsubishi-Scandal) Enditem

 

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